Friends or Foes? Facing the Facts about American Crows is the topic of the latest OMSI Science Pub, which takes place Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan).

Come get flocked up with a crow expert to hear about some amazing new findings in crow behavior. Crows and the rest of the corvids (e.g., ravens, magpies, and jays) are famous for their intelligence and for their capacity to flourish in the company of humans and their homes, farms, and parks. Their success around people may be associated with some extraordinary cross-species social skills.

Scientists and observant naturalists who study crows and ravens often end up believing that the birds are able to identify them as an individual person, but it was not until the last few years that anyone actually tested the birds’ abilities. Researchers in Seattle and Salem, where rapid suburban (human) growth has promoted population growth of crows, researchers from the University of Washington and Willamette University have found that the American Crows can distinguish individual human faces from those in a crowd.

Come find out how the studies were done and what conclusions can be drawn about crow behavior and development. The ability to recognize us probably gives crows and their kin an evolutionary edge in the modern world—a world with more people’s faces and more habitat changes than at any other time in history. Everyone has a crow story.

This Science Pub will be presented by Willamette University Professor of Biology, David Craig, who has researched crows’ ability to recognize, and remember, human faces.

The show takes place at the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan) from 7pm until 9pm, but arrive early (5pm doors open) to secure your beer, grub, and a seat! The suggested donation/cover charge is $3.00. Minors with adults are welcome, otherwise this event is 21 and over.

Expedition Titanic 2010: Return to the Deep is the topic of the latest OMSI Science Pub, which takes place on Monday, March 7, 2011.

RMS Titanic, Inc. in partnership with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and other leading oceanographic experts, embarked on what is arguably the most technologically advanced and scientific expedition to Titanic ever organized. The mission endeavored to create the most detailed portrait of the Titanic wreck site to date, “virtually raising” this beloved Ship to share what only a privileged few have been able to witness firsthand.

This Science Pub will be presented by P.H. Nargeolet, director of Underwater Research for RMS Titanic, Inc., and the 2010 co-expedition leader.

The show takes place at the Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne) from 7pm until 9pm, but arrive early (5pm doors open) to secure your beer, grub, and a seat! The suggested donation/cover charge is $3.00. Minors with adults are welcome, otherwise this event is 21 and over.